Fabius Maximus Verrucosus Cunctator, Quintus (275?-203 BC), Roman statesman and general, grandson of Fabius Maximus Rullianus. He was consul in 233 BC, censor in 230, and consul again in 228, 215, 214, and 209. He was an ambassador to Carthage in 218. In 217, during the Second Punic War, he became dictator of Rome by popular acclamation; he then put into operation the tactics that won him the surname Cunctator ("Delayer"), by which he is best known. He constantly harassed the flanks of the army of the Carthaginian general Hannibal, and, by avoiding a decisive encounter with the Carthaginian invaders, gave Rome time to build its strength. This policy, although it eventually achieved its objective, gave rise to popular dissatisfaction. Minucius Rufus, commander of the cavalry under Fabius, was elevated to an equal share in the dictatorship. At the expiration of his own term, Fabius resigned as dictator. His resignation was followed by a disastrous Roman defeat at Cannae. During his fifth consulship, Fabius recovered Tarentum (modern Taranto), one of Hannibal's strongholds.



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